What’s inside
African American History observed See page A-2
February 24, 2017
JBPHH security to host public safety event See page A-2
Vigilance ENgagement Speed Together New CNRH employee initiative See page A-3
www.issuu.com/navyregionhawaii www.hookelenews.com
Military Saves pledge drive See page B-4
Volume 8 Issue 7 Julie Yaste embraces her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Cameron Yaste, during the arrival of the USS Hopper at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb 21. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Stoltz
USS Hopper returns to Pearl Harbor Loko Pa’aiau volunteers honored
U.s. navy photo by MC2 Laurie dexter
Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, center, and representatives from NAVFAC HI and Hawaiian civic clubs pose with members of the Honolulu City Council. Story and photo by MC2 Laurie Dexter Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Councilmember Brandon Elefante, along with other members of the Honolulu City Council, recognized members of the military and local community for their volunteer work during a presentation of honorary certificates at Honolulu Hale, Feb. 22. Approximately three years ago, these communities came together in a group effort to begin the restoration of Loko Pa’aiau, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond located near McGrew Point, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, accepted the honor on behalf of the Navy and thanked the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the project. “It’s just a fantastic tribute to their sense of community, family and partnership,” Fuller said. “It shows their true commitment to making them-
selves better members of the community by showing everyone that it’s our land and to work together to make sure that we can remember our history.” Every month, the Honolulu City Council honors persons or groups for their contributions to the community. Jeff Pantaleo, cultural resources manager of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii and Rebecca Smith, natural resources management specialist of NAVFAC, shared recognition on behalf of NAVFAC and were honored to be a part of the city council’s event. Shad Kane, Hawaiian cultural practitioner and active member in the Kapolei Hawaiian civic club, also played a supporting role for his contributions. “It’s humbling, because we’re just doing this to do the right thing,” Pantaleo said. “To be recognized, it helps us to get more support from the community.” It took six months to complete the first phase of the project, which was to clear the mangrove trees obstructing the pond along with other invasive
vegetation. The long-term goal is to restore the pond to its original condition. “We do quarterly clean-ups,” Pantaleo said. “Our next one is on April 22, which is Earth Day. Usually, we have about 80 to 100 people from different groups who come out and learn about the culture and also help with the cleanup effort.” “Along with clearing the pond, the groups also plant native Hawaiian vegetation,” he said. “It can sometimes be really hard work, but it’s really rewarding,” Smith said. “I think the involvement of the local community brings a whole different level to this particular volunteer effort because you get the sense of culture and history through the event from the people who are there.” Fishponds in early Hawaiian history were used to farm fish, providing food for the surrounding communities. There were originally 22 fishponds in Pearl Harbor, but now only three remain. Of the three, the fishpond at McGrew Point was the most accessible and in the best condition.
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs The guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) returned from a 180-day independent deployment to the Arabian Gulf, western Pacific, and Indian Ocean, Feb. 21. While deployed to the U.S. 5th and 7th fleets, the ship and crew of more than 330 Sailors, assigned to Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 9, conducted presence and maritime security operations and integrated with six different combined task forces while independently deployed. “This was an incredible deployment which saw six different task forces, which means six different missions and operations, some of which were ‘firsts’ and set new precedents on what is expected from an independent deployer,” said Cmdr. J.D. Gainey, Hopper’s commanding officer. “It was our turn to stand the watch, forward and deployed, and we did so with aggressive excellence in every mission placed before us. This crew absolutely rocked, mission complete.” While on station in the Arabian Gulf, Hopper joined Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 for integrated operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Under the operation control of 7th Fleet, Hopper conducted routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities with allies and partners to enhance regional security and stability. Hopper also participated in the 13th iteration of the Royal Australian navy’s premier multinational maritime Exercise Kakadu. The exercise provided an opportunity for regional nations to participate in a wide variety of maritime activities, from humanitarian assistance and search and rescue operations to high-end maritime warfare scenarios. Hopper is a multi-mission ship with ballistic missile defense, air warfare, submarine warfare, and surface warfare capabilities; designed to operate independently or with carrier strike groups, surface action groups or amphibious ready groups. The ship is homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and is part of Naval Surface Forces and U.S. 3rd Fleet. U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. For more information please visit the ship’s website at www.public. navy.mil/surfor/ddg70.